Arcanist's Progression Thread // Working on self love and improvement.

[Arcanist]

Very probable, but you will have to grind a lot of Solves. In like less than two months I am sub-30 and I only had to learn a few algs. But I have done 1k Solves to get to sub 30.

hmm... Not sure if it is worth it to do that many solves for sub 45.

 

[GeographicalCuber]

Can you get sub 45 with the beginner method for square 1? It is (unfortunately) in my next comp and 45 seconds is cutoff.

I think if you want to get sub-45 then you should mainly focus on intuitive cube shape as it will help with all of your solves

 

[IsThatA4x4]

Can you get sub 45 with the beginner method for square 1? It is (unfortunately) in my next comp and 45 seconds is cutoff.

It would be a good idea probably to learn some basic algs (EO, CP, a couple easy EPs like opp/opp, H, Z, opp/O, and at least know what you're doing with parity so it isn't a huge time sink in your solve), but I was able to improve really quickly by just solving. I would also say at this point cubeshape is very important - you might want to take a look at scallop/kite as that gives you a pretty good way to solve most cases, but if you get faster with doing beginner cubeshape that could be viable for some time for sub-45 at least.

 

[Arcanist]

Comp grinding has been alright today. Only did pyra today and I think I'm basically sub 10, definitely sub 11.
I got a YLM pyra and it should arrive soon and hopefully that will drop my times too.

Pretty happy with this pb ao5:
7.57, 6.90, 7.85, 8.58, 7.63 - 7.68 ao5

 

[Enirolf]

Comp grinding has been alright today. Only did pyra today and I think I'm basically sub 10, definitely sub 11.
I got a YLM pyra and it should arrive soon and hopefully that will drop my times too.

Pretty happy with this pb ao5:
7.57, 6.90, 7.85, 8.58, 7.63 - 7.68 ao5

Nice! And also a good pyraminx (ylm is also my main) will definitely help

 

[SpeakCuba]

Can you get sub 45 with the beginner method for square 1? It is (unfortunately) in my next comp and 45 seconds is cutoff.

What is the beginner method?

 

[Arcanist]

What is the beginner method?

I think it's like cube shape, corners for top and bottom, edges for top and bottom, then corners then edges for sides and parity if needed.
I just used this tutorial:

 

[Arcanist]

So I haven't finished comp grinding for today but a few things:
1. The comp is in like 20 days and I won't have as much time as I would like to be cubing due to other stuff and a particularly bust schedule until the end of the year.
2. I have actually been enjoying pyra as an event itself quite a lot. I had just learned pyra before I signed up for the comp and I had liked it. On top of the fact I think I will be able to make finals has given some much needed motivation to cube a bit more often.
3. Lots of new pbs today (broke single, mo3, ao5, and ao12!)
Pb single - 4.47 (could have been faster but I really locked up at the end, V was solved except for a tip at the back)
Mo3 - 5.60
Ao5 - 5.74
Ao12 - 6.99

 

[SpeakCuba]

I think it's like cube shape, corners for top and bottom, edges for top and bottom, then corners then edges for sides and parity if needed.
I just used this tutorial:

Then, I think I use that method as well, for the most part. I’ve done probably about 500 (give or take 100) SQ-1 solves with it and I am sub-25, barely. So if you practice for quite a bit until comp, you might be able to make cutoff.

 

[Arcanist]

So yesterday I got my order which included a RS Skewb Maglev, A YLM magnetic Pyra, and 10 ml of weight 5.
Pyra:
I set up my pyra yesterday and it was really stressful since I've never really taken apart and set one up before, but I used Steven's tutorial and slowed it down and made the tips better (I spent an hour setting it up). I only had time to do a few solves after setting up, but I'll have to do some more today to see how I feel. It is still quite fast even after adding weight 5 to several different places but I think after I get a bit more used to the feel I will be able to drop my time's more considerably.

Skewb:
So I bought the RS Skewb Maglev instead of the standard since it was only $1 more expensive. It seems really fast and I will need to set it up sometime. I'm not sure how to adjust any of the settings and which pieces to take off to do so so if anyone knows how you can give me some advice.

Overall really happy with the cubes and hopefully it will help me get better at these events.

 

[Arcanist]

So I said I would be updating my progression thread more frequently, but I haven't really done that, so here are some updates.
Small Comp this weekend with 2x2, 4x4, skewb, pyra, and squan.
I didn't practice as much around Thanksgiving to spend time with family

Goals and Averages:

2x2: I have learned some new pbl algs and did some solves and now average sub 6.
Goal for comp: PR average and single
Difficulty: Easy (hopefully)

4x4: I haven't really practiced this event and I average at home slower than my PRs in comp.
Goal for comp: PR in average OR single
Difficulty: Hard (I'm averaging quite slow at home)

Skewb: I average around 12-13 at home after learning SI and practicing minimally.
Goal for comp: Sub 15 average and sub 12 single
Difficulty: Easy (Should be quite doable with at home averages)

Squan: I average around 1:25 at home after learning beginners.
Goal for comp: Get a result (time limit is 1:30)
Difficulty: Medium (Parity and cubeshape can make my times quite bad sometimes)

Pyraminx: I average quite close/maybe already sub 8. I unfortunately didn't get as much grinding done as I would have liked, so podium is basically unachievable.
Goal for comp: Make finals.
Difficulty: Hard (I have to basically average what I do at home and even then I am not sure if it will be fast enough)

Overall, I got some practice for events that I am bad at and I have also found new interest in many of these events which is nice. Unfortunately, I don't go to many comps so if I don't do well it will be quite disappointing. I don't have any other upcoming comps but I think I'll probably go to one sometime in the first half of next year.

 

[Arcanist]

The comp went extremely well!

Results:
2x2: I got both prs with a pretty good single for me (low 3). I did unfortunately miss finals by 1 place
4x4: Somehow got both prs with a counting 1:27 in my average and an overall pb for me by 8 seconds with an almost sub 1:00 single.
Square-1: DNFed the first solve because of time limit. The 2nd solve had a really easy cube shape and I got a sub 50 which is a pb2 for me overall. I honestly should have made cutoff (45) but I had a few slight messups.
Skewb: Did pretty good with a sub 11 average and low 8 single.

And finally Pyra:
First round went alright. I was really shaky the entire time but I didn't do that much worse than my global (which was low 7) and got a mid 7 average. I got 4th that round.
Finals I was really nervous but I felt pretty good going into the first solve since I had already got a sub 8 average which was one of the things I wanted. Somehow though, I did really well in finals and got a 6.38 average. I also got 4th in finals so unfortunately no podium, but I was expecting that.

Overall I am extremely pleased with how this went especially since I hit all my goals.

 

[GeographicalCuber]

The comp went extremely well!

Results:
2x2: I got both prs with a pretty good single for me (low 3). I did unfortunately miss finals by 1 place
4x4: Somehow got both prs with a counting 1:27 in my average and an overall pb for me by 8 seconds with an almost sub 1:00 single.
Square-1: DNFed the first solve because of time limit. The 2nd solve had a really easy cube shape and I got a sub 50 which is a pb2 for me overall. I honestly should have made cutoff (45) but I had a few slight messups.
Skewb: Did pretty good with a sub 11 average and low 8 single.

And finally Pyra:
First round went alright. I was really shaky the entire time but I didn't do that much worse than my global (which was low 7) and got a mid 7 average. I got 4th that round.
Finals I was really nervous but I felt pretty good going into the first solve since I had already got a sub 8 average which was one of the things I wanted. Somehow though, I did really well in finals and got a 6.48 average. I also got 4th in finals so unfortunately no podium, but I was expecting that.

Overall I am extremely pleased with how this went especially since I hit all my goals.

I dream for a world in UK comps where a 6.48 AVG gets you 4th in pyra. Once I got like a 4.something AVG and
Got 13th

 

[TheSpeedSkewber]

I dream for a world in UK comps where a 6.48 AVG gets you 4th in pyra. Once I got like a 4.something AVG and
Got 13th

People in the UK are really good tbh. Cutoff is super low because of the high average skill level. The cutoffs for my next comp are harsher than Australian Nats!

 

[JDAW6]

The comp went extremely well!

Results:
2x2: I got both prs with a pretty good single for me (low 3). I did unfortunately miss finals by 1 place
4x4: Somehow got both prs with a counting 1:27 in my average and an overall pb for me by 8 seconds with an almost sub 1:00 single.
Square-1: DNFed the first solve because of time limit. The 2nd solve had a really easy cube shape and I got a sub 50 which is a pb2 for me overall. I honestly should have made cutoff (45) but I had a few slight messups.
Skewb: Did pretty good with a sub 11 average and low 8 single.

And finally Pyra:
First round went alright. I was really shaky the entire time but I didn't do that much worse than my global (which was low 7) and got a mid 7 average. I got 4th that round.
Finals I was really nervous but I felt pretty good going into the first solve since I had already got a sub 8 average which was one of the things I wanted. Somehow though, I did really well in finals and got a 6.48 average. I also got 4th in finals so unfortunately no podium, but I was expecting that.

Overall I am extremely pleased with how this went especially since I hit all my goals.

There is a typo you got a 6.38 avg not 6.48.

 

[Arcanist]

There is a typo you got a 6.38 avg not 6.48.

Yeah my bad thanks for pointing that out.

 

[JDAW6]

Yeah my bad thanks for pointing that out.

Ur Welcome

 

[Arcanist]

Massive Update:
I haven't made an update in ages so here's one:

IRL:
I went on a trip at the start of the new year which was pretty fun. Hope everyone had a good new year!

Goals for 2024:
2x2: Sub 4.5 global
3x3: Sub 13 global.
4x4: Sub 1:00 global.
5x5: Practice
Megaminx: Practice
3x3 OH: Sub 30 global
Pyra: Sub 5 global.
Skewb: Sub 7.5 global
Squan: Remember how to solve.
3x3 BLD: Get a few successes
Clock: Practice

Recap on 2023:
Probably my first semi-serious year cubing.
In 3x3 I went from averaging 20 to 15, a pretty good cut.
I had a bunch on periods of decent motivation and periods of basically no motivation.
Accomplishments I'm happy about from 2023 (no particular order):
1. 4 place in a comp.
2. Sub 15 3x3 global.
3. Sub 9 and 10 singles (3x3)
4. Went to 2 comps
5. Sub 12 ao5 (3x3)
6. Sub 2.5 pyra single.
7. Sub 5 pyra mo3.
8. Mid 6 comp ao5 pr in pyra
9. Learned how to solve squan
10. Sub 22 single in OH
11. 1:00 flat PB single in comp (4x4)
12. Learned SI for skewb.
13. Learned some more PBL algs.
14. Sub 50 single in comp for squan.

Current state of cubing for me:
There was a comp announced in my area for early March. I plan on going assuming I make registration. It has clock, so I finally bought a clock, and also got the Qiyi one. I finally got a good Megaminx (yuhu). I'm pretty excited and it has given me a nice motivational boost for cubing. I plan on focusing on 3x3, Pyra, and (maybe) clock. Other items I bought from the cubicle included a replacement weight 5 and a YS3M Ball Core. It gets to my residence soon so I will see if I like clock or not and try some of the new cubes I got. I may do a review.

Quick Question about clock:
With the new pin pushing regulation, how long would it take to get average sub 8?

TLDR:
I made a bunch of advancements in cubing in 2023 and plan on going to a comp early March this year. I plan on focusing on 3x3, pyra, and maybe clock. I bought a large order from the cubicle (around $100)

Happy Cubing!

 

[Davian]

Massive Update:
I haven't made an update in ages so here's one:

IRL:
I went on a trip at the start of the new year which was pretty fun. Hope everyone had a good new year!

Goals for 2024:
2x2: Sub 4.5 global
3x3: Sub 13 global.
4x4: Sub 1:00 global.
5x5: Practice
Megaminx: Practice
3x3 OH: Sub 30 global
Pyra: Sub 5 global.
Skewb: Sub 7.5 global
Squan: Remember how to solve.
3x3 BLD: Get a few successes
Clock: Practice

Recap on 2023:
Probably my first semi-serious year cubing.
In 3x3 I went from averaging 20 to 15, a pretty good cut.
I had a bunch on periods of decent motivation and periods of basically no motivation.
Accomplishments I'm happy about from 2023 (no particular order):
1. 4 place in a comp.
2. Sub 15 3x3 global.
3. Sub 9 and 10 singles (3x3)
4. Went to 2 comps
5. Sub 12 ao5 (3x3)
6. Sub 2.5 pyra single.
7. Sub 5 pyra mo3.
8. Mid 6 comp ao5 pr in pyra
9. Learned how to solve squan
10. Sub 22 single in OH
11. 1:00 flat PB single in comp (4x4)
12. Learned SI for skewb.
13. Learned some more PBL algs.
14. Sub 50 single in comp for squan.

Current state of cubing for me:
There was a comp announced in my area for early March. I plan on going assuming I make registration. It has clock, so I finally bought a clock, and also got the Qiyi one. I finally got a good Megaminx (yuhu). I'm pretty excited and it has given me a nice motivational boost for cubing. I plan on focusing on 3x3, Pyra, and (maybe) clock. Other items I bought from the cubicle included a replacement weight 5 and a YS3M Ball Core. It gets to my residence soon so I will see if I like clock or not and try some of the new cubes I got. I may do a review.

Quick Question about clock:
With the new pin pushing regulation, how long would it take to get average sub 8?

TLDR:
I made a bunch of advancements in cubing in 2023 and plan on going to a comp early March this year. I plan on focusing on 3x3, pyra, and maybe clock. I bought a large order from the cubicle (around $100)

Happy Cubing!

Since i am one of the first people to get to try out the new regulation, its actually really nice, especially if you have a pin order you use in like every clock solve.

 

[Arcanist]

Yesterday (and recently) I've been mainly focused on comp style ao5s for 3x3. It has been going quite good and I had a few sub 13 ao5s, several sub 14 ao5s, and almost all my averages were sub 15 which was quite good. I got a sub 10 with a PLL skip and multiple low 10s that were fullstep. I think I've had some good improvement in the last couple of days. Today I plan on learning fingertricks for some more PLLs since previously I was just making random finger tricks up.